Centrifugal extractor



Da; 11, 192s.

F. BALZER CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTOR Filed Feb. 13, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet l Dern 11-, 192s. 1 1,694,614

F. BALZER cBNTRIFuGAL Ex'rRATon Filed Feb. 15, 1925 6 Sheets-sheet 2 F. BALZER CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTOR Dec. ll, 1928.

Filed Feb. 15, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet .3

Edje/7 v.

Devn 11,l 192s.

F. BALzER CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 13, 1925 F. BALZER CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTOR Dec. 11, 1928.

Filed Feb. 134, 192s 6 sheets-sheet 5 Dcn i1, 192s.

- `6 Sheets-'Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 13 1925 w 5 am@ e 1 j. 9 w w Z l r J A..- m ww -s f 0.0 w w X Il. 2 .J e I w MM Miu. ...hun .mimi 4V/ .D .alu @u c f www w Mw w .21% .w a 42W Patented Bec. l1, l928.

aan ma narran s FRITZ BALZER, 0F MLZNE, LLINIS, ASSGNGPJ, BY ASSIGNMENTS, TO TROY LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, INCL, ROVER, DELAW' A CORPORATION DELAWARE.

Application filed February The present invention relates to centrifugal extractors.

More particularly the present invention relates to centrifugal machines for extracting Centrifugal machines, particularly thosev which operate at relatively high speeds, are frequently dangerous to the operator and other nearby persons. An object of the present invention is to provide a centrifugal extractor in which the danger of injury to the operator or to other nearby persons is minimized. Y

fr further object is to provide a centrifugal extractor having a protective door, which door must be closed and held closed for an a} )preciable period of time before starting is fully accomplished.

A further object is to provide a centrifugal extractor having an improved door mechan isin, which door mechanism must be closed before the whirling action of the extractor is started, and whichdoor mechanism will automatically open only when the extractor has come to rest, or nearly so. y

:le further object is to provide a centrifugal extractor in which stoppage of the whirling motion may be accomplished rapidly and efficiently.

fr further object is to provide a centrifugal extractor which may be set into operation conveniently, which will automatically stopy its operrtion after the performance of a pre-k determined function, and which will involve n a minimum of danger to the operator,

further object .is to provide a centrifugal act r in which danger of injury to the operator is minimized and whichwill automatically give predetermined signal indications to said operator.

A further object is to provide a centrifugal extractor which may be set in operationonly when closed and which will automatically cease operation and open communication to the interior thereof after the performance of a predetermined function. l

A. further object is to provide a centrifuga-l extractor which will combineease of starting CENTRFUGAL EXTRACTOR.

13, 1925. Serial No. 8,891.

and automatic stopping with the possibility of quickly stopping operation and opening communication to the interior of the extractorA in case of emergency.

A further object is to provide a centrifugal extractor having a protective closure, which closure must` bev closed before the whirling action of the extractor' can be started, which door will remain closed until caused to open either upon the performance of a predetermined function or upon the deliberate act of the operator.

A further object is to provide a motor driven centrifugal extractor in which the rotor of the motor may have a xed axis and will perform satisfactorily regardless of the fact that the load in lsaid extractor may be unbalanced.

A further object is to provide a motor driven centrifugal extractor in which the axis of the rotor of said motor is fixed but which will, nevertheless, permit gyrations of the loadcarrying portions of said extractor.

A further object is to provide a motor driven centrifugal extractor in which the mo tor may operate as a driving means and breaking means.

A further object is to provide a centrifugal extractor having a driving motor the rotor axis of which is fixed in a vertical position but which will, nevertheless, permit gyrations due to uneven loadingV Further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings- Figure l is a view in front elevation, parts being broken away, of one embodiment of the present invention; f

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a ball bearing arrangement for carrying the movable guard or door used in the extractor shown in. Figure l;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure l;

Figure l is a fragmentary sectional vieu7 illustrating` certain mechanism cooperatively associated with the revoluble shaft employed in the structure shown in Figure l;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated Vby the arrows 5 5 of ing mechanism for automatically biasing` the extractor door or closure to predetermined position;

Figures 7, 3 and 9 are fragmentary views illustrating mechanism for controlling the starting of the centrifugal extractor embodying the principles of the present invention:

Figures IO, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate mechanism for setting the parts for automatic stoppage of the extractor after the performance of a predetermined function, and for controlling the electrical circuits to accomplish said stoppage;

Figure 13 is a. wiring diagram illustrating diagrammatically an elect-ric circuit which may be used in the practice of the present invention; and

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a modified construction of speed responsive swit-ch mechanism.

Referring firstI to Figure 1, it will be noted thatthe curb 10 of a centrifugal extractor is provided with feet 11 by means of which a firm emplacement may be had upon a foundation. Said curb 10 houses the basket 12, which may be provided with the annular ring 13 at its upper portion, leaving said basket open at the top. Said basket is nonrotatably connected to the shaft 1li. Said shaft 14 is supported by means of a step bearing assembly, which is indicated as a whole by the numeral 15. Said step bearing assembly constitutes no part of the present invention and need not be described in detail herein. 1t may be stated briefly, however, that said stepbearing assembly compensates for gyrations which may tend to occur in the basket 12 in case said basket is unevenly loaded. Mounted at the up-per port-ion of the curb 10 is the water ring or top ring 16, which may be secured to the curb 10 by means of bolts or other preferred holding means. Said top ring 16 is formed to provide foundations for three columns 17, 18 and 19, which are shown inclined and which maybe bolted in position, as best shown in Figure 3. Said three columns are arranged in the back half of the extractor as the parts are viewed` in Figures 1 and 3, leaving ample space at the front of the extractor for permitting access to the interior of said extractor. The columns 17, 13 and 19v are secured at their upper ends to the casting 21. Carried at the upper extremity of the casting 21 is the ring 22. which supports the housing of the motor 23. it will be noted that the lower portion of the casting 21 is cored out. whereby to provide a hemispherical surface. Coope ating with the casting 21 is the casting 24, which is also cored out hemispherically. Said castings 21 and 241 are connected by bolt-s or other holding means to provide. a spherical recess adapted to receive a ball-shaped protuberance 25 on the sleeve 26. Said sleeve 26 houses the shaft 14, permitting longitudinal movement of said shaft 14 relative to said sleeve. Said sleeve 26 extends downwardly a considerable distance in order t-o provide as long an active bearing as possible.

The present invention contemplates a clutch connection between the rotor shaft of the motor 23 and the shaft 14,. A clutch. indicated by the numeral Q7. is provided for this 1purpose. Said clutch includes as one element a friction drum 28 rigidly secured to the upper extremity of the shaft 141, which friction drum 28 will haveI a cylindrical inner wall. The rotor shaft of the motor 23. which has a iixed axis in a vertical direction, is provided at its lower extremity with a spidershaped casting 29 having aI plurality of radially extending tins 30. Said fins 3() are adapted to ride within recesses in the friction members 31. Said friction members 31-31 are lined upon their peripheral surfaces with some heat resisting material 31, such. for example, as raybestos. As indicated in Figure 1, the fins 30 have a very considerable range of oscillatory movement within the recesses in the friction members 31, and the friction members are permitted to nieve radially of the drum 28. 1t will be noted that the casting 29 is provided with the collar 31h, which may be bolted thereto, which collar extends outwardly from the axis of the casting 29 a sufiicient distance to prevent the friction members 31-31 from climbing out` of the friction drum. `When the rotor shaft of the motor Q3 is rotating, the tins 30-30 thereof will carry the friction members 31-31 along with them and will permit said friction members 31-31 to fly outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force. Moreover. oscillations of the shaft 14 will be permitted by reason of the fact that a considerable range of oscillation of the tins 30-30 is permitted within their corresponding friction members 31-31. r1`he outer surface of the lining 31a of the friction members 31 should coincide substantially with the inner periphery of the friction drum 28. ldlhen the rotor shaft of the motor 23 is rotating at a predetermined speed, the friction members 31 31 will fly out with sufficient force to establish a driving relation between tlie rotor shaft of the motor 23 and the friction drum 23, whereby turning movement communicated to the shaft 1i.

The centrifugal extractor is a machine the operation of which is likely to be quite hazardous. The present invention contemplates the provision of means whereby the hazard is reduced to a minimum.

According to the present invention, the ex,- tractor is completely closed in the rear between columns 17 and 19 and columns 18 and 19. The front portion, that is-the part between columns 1'7 and 19, must beadapted to be opened for permitting loadiu and unloading. The present invention contemplates means for ,closing the space between columns which is adapted to catch said oil.

17 and 19 and maintaining said closure in closed position during the time that the basket 12 is in motion.

ln order to close the space between the columns 17 and 19, the present invention contemplates a closure which may be described as being a portion oit a frustrated cone. Said closure, which is indicated by the numeral is provided with the top ring 88 to which the skirt 84 is attached. The top ring; 88, as best shown in Figure 2, is .provided with means forming` a track cooperating With rollerbearings 35, which roller bearings are supported from the casting 21. The roller bearings may be carried by studs 86 securedy in said casting' 21, and said roller bearings may engage the annular member 87, which annular member 37 may be ot steel and may be secured to the top ring 32 by any preferred means, as, for example, by means of screws 38. The roller bearings 35 may be shouldered, as indicated by the numeral 89, whereby to bear against the outer side oit the track 37 to hold the top ring 33 of the closure 32 in coaxial relation with the casting` 21. Afin annular projection 40 may also be provided upon the top ring` 34 to keep the roller bearings and the top ring from getting out oit their properk relative positions. es noted above, the closure 32 is essentially part of a frustrated cone, that is to say-though said cover has a conical conformation in order to conform to the inclined positions of the columns 17, 18, and 19, part of the wall ot the cover 32 is cut away, whereby in a predetermined position o the cover 32 access may readily be had to the basket 12. The open position of the closure 32 indicated in 'liull lines in Figure 1. The closed position is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1.

The illustrated embodiment otthe present invention is adapted for convenient lubrication. rlhe numeral. 41 indicates an oil cup,

which supplies oil by means oit the pipe 42 to the interior of the casting 21. @il will flow to the cooperating;l surfaces oi the sleeve 26 and shaft 14 and will also How to the cooperating surfaces ot the ball-shaped protuberance 25 Vand the spherical housingfor said ball-shaped protufberance. ylt is, of course, necessary to provide means ltor the disposal of the oil delivered to the surfaces ret/erred to. Attached to the shaft 14 and located beneath the casting` 24 is the funnelshaped casting" 48, The shaft 14 is provided with a radial hole adapted to communicate with the interior of the 'tunnelshaped cast-ina' A48, which radial hole communicates with an axial hole, indicated by the numeral 44, through which the oil 'trim the tunnel-shaped casting; 48 is delivered to the bottom the .step bearing 15. lnasnuich as said step bearing' 15 is located below the basket 12, there is no danger ot the l'ulu'icatkwith an annular recess 45.

vdiagram by the numeral 5G.

ing oil referred to finding` its way into the basket A12. y

lt Will be noted from an inspection of Fien ures 1 and 2 that the top ring` 33 is provided By reason ot the recess 45.. the top ring 88 operates as a sheave. Mounted Within said recess 45 and secured to the top ring 33 is the cable 46 (Figure 3), which may pass over the roller 47. The other end of the cable 46 is provided with a Weight 48 (Figure 6) which Weight is located in the column 18 at the rear of the extractor. Said Weight 48 and cable 46 are arranged to bias the closure 82 to its open position, that 'is-to the position permitting` access to the basket 12. It preferred, the iveig'ht 48 may take the form oli' rollers 49--49, whereby sliding` action of the Weight 48 Within the column 18 Will. be accomplished with a minimum ofk friction.

According to certain features ot the present invention, the closure 32 is utilized as a medium for controlling the startingof the electric motor 28. Gnly when said closure 32 is swungn to the extreme left, as the parts are vievved in Figure 1, i. e., to closing position, can the control circuits be completed to start the motor and to hold said closure in closed position. According: to the present invention, when the machine has completed a predetermined numberl of revolutions, instrumentalities are actuated to cause the reversal of the motor to produce a braking action upon the rotating basket to bring' same to a stop ornearly so, causing the closure 32 to open and causing the open circuiting of said motor. rlhe present invention also contemplates signalingA mechanism responsive to the functions of the apparatus, Which signaling` mechanism will be further referred to.

ln order to understand. the control circuits above referred to. reference may be had to the Wiring' di anram shown in Figure 18. .als noted above,`tlie closure 82 is biased by the Weight 48 to open position. l/Vhen the operator has loaded the basket 12 and is ready to start operation he will more the closure 82 to the lett, that is-to closing position. i When said closure 82 has reached closed position, a door switch may be manually operated, which door switch is inc icated in the Wiring` Said door switch is biased to open position. Closing` ot the door switch 50 completes an electrical circuit Which energizes the operatingl coil 51, which operates certain torivard contactors of an automatic starter. accordinev to the dia- .0 m. starting is accomplished through a resistance. which resistance is cut out after starting' has been accomplished. The Wiring' dia ajram 'terms no part ot the present invenV- tion but may he described briefly in order that the operation may be clearly understood.

./*iccordina to the wirres diaejrem shown in Figure 13, three conductors 52, 53 and 54 are indicated, which conductors constitute the supply mains of an alternating current circuit. lt will be understood, of course, that the wiring diag am is merely illustrative of any electrical system that may be chosen and that the invention is not limited to use with alternatingI current. According to the dia gram shown, the closing ofthe door switch 5() completes a circuit through the operating coil 5l by way of the two conductors 53 and 54, the circuit thus completed being indicated by the letter a, which circuit includes the overload relay contacts CLL-4L. The numerals 55, 56, 57, 58 and 59 indicate switches, of which switches 56. 57 and 58 are biased to open position and of which switch 59 is biased to closed position. Energization of the operating coil 5l will close all of the switches 55. 56, 57 and 58 and will open switch 59. rlhe operation of the switches referred to will connect the three supply mains 52,

and to the motor, the circuits thus completed being indicated by the letter b. It will bc noted that said circuits include the startingresistors 60, 6l and 62. The electric motor 23 will be energized by the completion of the circuits immediately above referred to, said starting being accomplished through the starting resistors 60, 6l and 62. The numeral 63 indicates a switch which is normally open but which is closed when the shaft la attains a predetermined speed. The operator must hold the closure 32 in closed position until suliicient speed has been communicated to the shaft 14 to close the switch 63. When said switch 63 is closed, a holding` circuit is completed which is independent of the door switch 50. Said holding circuit, which is indicated by the letter' c, is connected across the terminals of the door switch 50. The circuit cnc-c includes the switch 63, the switch 58 which is now closed. the switch 64 which is responsive to the sum total of the number of'revolutions ot' the motor shaft after a predetermined setting, and the switch 65. which is an emergency stop switch, normally closed. rllhe operating coil 5l is now energized independently of the door switch 50. The numeral 66 indicates a latch for holding the closure 32 in closed position. Said latch controlled by the solenoid 67. Villren said solenoid 67 is energized the latch 66 is held in a position to maintain the closure 32 in closed position. rllhe circuit of the solenoid 67 is indicated by the letters Md-(Z, which circuit is connected across the supply mains 53 and 5i through the switch 63. At this time the operator may release his hold on the closure 32, said closure being held in closed position by means of the latch 66, which latch will be operative as long as the switch 63 completes the circuit of the holding solenoid 67.

The numeral 68 indicates a time elementinterlock. Said time element interlock con` stitutes no part of the present invention, and inasmuch as such interlocks may be readily purchased in the open market no detailed description seems to be necessary. It is sul-lt cient to state that after the lapse of a pre- Operation of the solenoid 69 results in the.

short circuiting of the starting resistors 60, 6l and 62, whereby the motor 23 may run at full speed.

The present invention contemplates a construct-ion in which the whirling of the basket will be stopped and the closure 32 will be automatically opened upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. According to the mechanism illustrated, the stoppage of the basket and the opening of the closure is ac.- complished in response to the number of revolutions ofthe motor shaft. It will be clear as the description proceeds that, if preferred, stoppage of the basket and the, opening of the closure may be accomplished in response to any preferred function.

According to the structure illustrated, the details of which will be referred to hereinafter, the switch 64 will be opened when the shaft of the motor 23 has made a predetermined number of revolutions, said number being determinable before the starting ot said motor. Then the switch 64 is opened, the circuit marked by the letters c--c is opened, thus deenergizing the operating coil 5l. The latch 66 of the closure of the extractor is still held in latching position due to the fact that the switch 63 is still closed The open circuiting of the operating solenoid 51 results in the completion of the circuit indicated by the reference characters f-f, energizing the contractor solenoid 79. The energization of the solenoid 79 results in the closing of the normally open switches 80, 8l, 82 and 83. The energization of the solenoid 79 also results in the opening of the normally closed switch 84. Operation of these switches reverses the connections of the motor 23, whereby said motor will reverse its direction of rotation. It will be obvious, of course, that the change in direction of rotation will not be instantaneous, but that there will be a` slowing down of the motor to a stop and a building up of speed in the opposite direction. As the motor slows down, the cooperating elements of the clutch 27 will release one another, leaving the basket 12 to ro tate by reason of its kinetic energy. Upon the reversal of the motor the friction members 31 will again fly out into engagement with the inner periphery of the friction drum 28, whereby a braking action is exerted upon the shaft 14, bringing the basket 12 to a stop. rlhe stoppage of the basket 12 will cause the switch 63 to open, thereby opening the circuit indicated by the reference characters c-o, open circuiting the solenoid 7 9. and also open circuiting the holding coil 6?' of the latch 66. The motor is now deenergized, and, inasmuch as the latch 66 biased to unlatching position, the closure 32, which is biased to open position by the weight 48, will automatically open.

The numerals 85, 86 and 37 indicate the signaling lights. The letters g-g indicate the common conductor for the signal lights referred to, which conductor is connected to the main supply conductor 53. l/Vhen the centrifugal extractor is idle, circuit is completed through the signal light 85, through the conductors indicated by the letters L-L, to the main supply conductor 54. When the machine is running normally circuit is completed through the signal light 86 by way of the conductors indicated by the reference character 7' to the main supply conductor 54. FVhen the. machine is being stopped, that iswhen the reverse solenoid 7 9 is operative to control its corresponding switches, circuit is coinpleted through the light 87 by way of the conductors mark-ed 7c to the main supply conductor 54. The signal lights 85, 86 and 8T may be chosen of different colors. In a practical embodiment of the present invention the signal light 85 indicating an idle condition of the extractor has been chosen as a red light, the light 36 indicating normal running has been chosen as a white light, and the light 8'? indicating that the stopping operation is being accomplished has been chosen as a green light.

rShe mechanical details of the mechanism putting the extractor in motion and the i anical details of the mechanismfor aul l l'l o tically stopping the extractor will now ic referred to.

The switch 63 illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 is a mercury s itch comprising a small tube embedded in a disc of insulating material Said tube is charged with a quantity of mercury and equipped with two contacts 89 and 90, which have electrical connection with the collector rings 91 and 92. Cooperating with the collector rings 91 and 92 are the brushes 93 and 94, which supply current to the slip rings 91 and 92 and consequently to the two t^rminals of the switch 63.

ln view of the that the shaft 14 may oscillate about the center of the ball-.shaped protuberance 9.5 of the bearing 26, it is evident that the collector rings 91 and 92 will not at all times retain their position symmetrical iresent invention contemplates means whereby to maintain an uninterrupted flow of electric energy through the brushes 93 and 94 to the rings 91 and 92. To accomplish this purpose the brushes 93 and 94 are mounted upon a carrier 93 (see Figures 1 and 4), which is a yoke loosely carried by the shaft 14. Said yoke preferably is split, whereby it may be conveniently mounted upon said shaft 14. T he collar 94, which may be secured to the shaft 14 by any preferred holding means, holds the yoke in its proper position vertically of the shaft 14. The yoke 93', while being loosely mounted upon the shaft 14, is prevented from rotation by reason of the fact that the forks 95-95 of said yoke embrace the rod 96, which is fastened to the upper struct-ure of the extractor and which, vhile allowing oscillations of the yoke 93 in vertical planes, will prevent rotation of said yoke. lt will be noted from an inspection of Figure 5 that the rod 96 is in the form of a. tube. Said tube constitutes a conduit for electrical conductors for supplying current to the brushes 93 and 94. It will be evident that when the .shaft 14 is rotating at a predetermined speed the switch 63 will be closed. rllhe speed responsive switch described above is a centrifugal switch. The invention is not limited to centrifugal switches, however, and Figures 14 and 15 show the details of'a speed responsive switch of another type.

Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the numeral 96a indicates an oil basin corresponding to the funnel-shaped casting 43 of Figures 1 and 4. Said basin 96a provides a housing for certain switch mechanism, which will now be described, which may be used instead. of the centrifugal switch mechanism 63. The switch mechanism shown in Figures 14 and is indicated as a whole by the numeral 96h. Non-rotatably mounted upon the shaft 14 is the disc 96C. Carried by said disc 96C is the disc 96d, which has no direct connection with the shaft 14. rlhe uppermost disc 96d is provided with the upstanding slotted lug 96e and also with the counterbalance 96f. Mounted on the sleeve 96 is the contact support 96g, which carries the two relatively stationary contact members 96h-96h. Pivotally carried by the contact supporting member 96g is the swinging member 96i pivot-ed for swinging movement about the horizontally disposed pin 963. Said swinging member 96i will be of insulating material, but will carry the'bridging contact member 96k. swinging member 96 is swung to the right as the parts are viewed in Figure 15, connection will be made between the two relatively stationary contacts 9611-0611. At other times connection will be broken between said contacts 96-96h. The swinging member `96i is to the vertical axis of the shaft 14. The

1illllien the i provided near its swinging extremity with the pin 96l adapted to ride in the vertically disposed slot 96m in the upstanding stud 96e carried by the disc 96d.

. In operation, when the shaft 14 and consequently the disc 96c start to rotate, the disc 96 is dragged around by reason of its frictional engagement with said disc 96C. lt is good practice to permit a certain amount of oil to collect in the bottom of the oil basin 96. The viscosity of said oil will also aid in the dragging effect upon the dise 96d. The disc 96d is dragged through a sul'licient distance to bring the Contact member 9ek into bridging relationship with the relatively stationary contacts ENSL-96h, which will close circuit for operations similar to those described above in connection with speed responsive switch 63. lVhen the shaft 14 and consequently the disc 96 slow down, the weight of the swinging member 9G will tend to cause same to assume a vertical position as shown in Figure 15, acting against the frictional resistance between discs 96C and 96d and against the viscosity of the oil in the bottom portion of the basin 96a. Slowing down of the shaft 14 will, therefore, effect the opening of the switch 96h illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.

The latch assembly for holding the closure 82 in closed position will now be described.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, the door switch is mounted in position to be operated by the handle 97, which handle is rigidly connected to the shaft 98. On the same shaft is mounted a lever 99, which engages the door switch 50 to actuate same. lVhen the handle 97 is turned in a clockwise direction as the parts are viewed in Figure 7, the lever 99 will be caused to engage the door switch 50, pushing same toward the left as the parts are viewed in Figure 7 Movement of the switch 50 toward the left will close said switch, closing the circuit referred to above in connection with the wiring diagram shown in ure 13. The shaft 98 is biased in a counterclockwise direction as the parts are viewed in Figure 7 by means of a spring` 100, which has one end attached to an abutment lined rela` tive to the frame of the extractor and which has its other end secured to a finger 101 nonrotatably attached to the shaft 98. Also nonrotatably mounted upon the shaft 98 is the lever 102 (Figure 7), which works in conjunction with the solenoid 6?. Cooperation between the lever 102 and the armature of the solenoid 103 is had through the bell crank lever 104, the arm 105 of which is drawn downwardly when the solenoid 103 is energized, said arm 105 being provided with a link 106 connected to the armature of said solenoid 67. The other arm 107 of the bell. crank lever 104 is provided with a pin 108 adapted to engage the end of the lever 102. Then the arm 105 is held in its downward position due to the energization of the solenoid 67, said pin 108 will engage the end lever 102 to hold same downwardly. whereby the shaft 9S and the parts attached thereto will be held against the tension spring 100 in a position to hold the door switch 50 toward the left as the parts are viewed in Figure 7, that is-in the position in which said door switch 50 is in circuit closing position.

.also non-rotatably carried by the shaft 98 is the finger 109, which has pivotal connection with the longitudinally reciprocable latch Said latch is adapted to enter the hole 111 in the top ring 3?) of the closure 32. lil/Then said longitudinally reciprocable latch 110 is located within the aperture 111, the closure 32 will be held inimovably in closed position. rllhe top ring 33 is imperforate throughout its periphery except for the aperture 111. For this reason said top ring` will actas an abutment to stop the longitudinal movement of the reciprocable latch G6 at all.

imes, except when said latch 110 is in registry with the aperture 111. By reason of this construction, the handle 97 cannot be moved in a counterclockwise direction to move the door switch 50 to circuit closing position except when the closure is in closed position, that is to say-when said closure 32 is in such a position that the aperture 111 registers with the reciprocable latch 110. lllhen the door switch 50 has been moved to closed position, the motor will be started in the manner discussed above in connection with the description of the wiring diagram appearing in Figure 18. As soon the spindle 14 of the extractor has reached a speed of rotation sufficiently high to cause the closing of the centrifugal switch 63, the solenoid 6.7 of the latch assembly shown in Figure T will be energized, whereby the shaft 98 and the parts attached thereto will be held against the tension of the spring 100. A material period of time will elapse before the solenoid 67 is energized, which lapse of time will occur while 'the shaft 14 is accelerating to the speed necessary to close the centrifugal switch 63. An advantage accrues from this fact, inasmuch as the operator must stay at the machine, holding 'the handle 9.7 in its counterclockwise direction, until it is evident whether oi' not the basket 12 is sufiiciently well balanced to operate satisfactorily. ln order that the operator may see how the basket is operating, the closure 32 may be provided with a transparent portion, not shown on the drawing.

According to the present invention the machine is stopped in response to the action of a revolution counter, which responds to the number of revolutions of the rotor of the driving motor. Such a construction is illustrated for the reason that it has proven satisfactory in service, but other means for accomplishing the same result may be used without departing` from the spirit ot the invention.

Referring` to Figures 1 and 3, the upper element ot the clutch 2? is provided with a worin 112 adapted to mesh with a worm tnear 113, which connnunicates rotation to the tier:- ible shaft 1111-.. Said risible shaft operates the revolution counter, indicated a whole by the rnumeral 115 (Figures 1() and 12). Said iiexible shalt ext-ends downwardly through the upper portion oit the colun'm 19, the revolution counter 115 being carried by and housed within said coumn 19.

Certain details ot the revolution counter 1.15 and the mechanism responsive to said revolution counter 115 are shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The flexible shaft 11st is con nected to the worin 11G, which worm 116 cooperates with the worin wheel 11Tr (Figure 12), which worin wheel is omitted from Figure 10 for reasons of clarity.

The revolution counter 115 should be irre versible, and for this pur}' ose the flexible shaft 114 is provided with a springecontrolled one-way clutch. rlhe clutch mechanism 'forms no part of the present invention, and mechanism suitable for the purpose may be readily purchased. A particular clutch mechanism which has merit and novelty but which is, however, not claimed in this application is illustrated in Figure 10a. fliccording` to said Figure 10a, two clutching` elements 111'nl and 1111 are provided, each of said clutching elements having beveled faces. Said clutching elements 111i1 and 1141b have cooperating teeth 111, which teeth are urged together by the springs 114:d and 11ste. r1`he clutch element 1141"l may be connected to the worm gear 113. The clutch element 1141 is connected to the flexible shaft 1141. A casing; 1141f encloses the clutch elements referred to.

"When the worm gear 113 is rotatin, in a predetermined direction, that is-the normal dierction oit rotation of the basket 12, the springs 111d and 114e will keep the clutch members 11eil and 1141 together; but when the motor reverses, the driven men'iber oit the clutch system will not rotate, inasmuch as the clutch member 11d will slip over the teeth of the clutch member 114th, being permitted to do so by reason ot the beveled faces ot the clutch members and the springs 111d and nr. y

A timing` disc 113 is rigidly connected to the worm wheel 117, said worm wheel 117 and timing disc 113 being' loosely mounted upon the spindle 119. Fixedly secured to the shatt 119 is the lever 120, the outer end ot said lever being,h provided with the pin 121. `Said pin 121 is provided withV a collar 122 and a cylinn drical end portion 123 of reduced diameter. rFhe outer end of the shaft 119 has liizedly connected thereto the lmurledv knob 12e, which knob is provided with the indicating; linger 125. The cover plate 126 may be pro vided with a dial 125l for cooperation with said finger 125, graduated, as preferred; as, :tor example, in number o1`A revolutions, in minutes it a synchronous motor is used, or according to any other preferred scale. c

The numeral 127 indicates a pin lixedly secured to the cover plate 126, which pin provides a rotatable mounting,1 tor the trip linger 128. Said trip tinger 123 is biased by the spring 129, which tends to push said trip iinger 128 in a countercloclrwise direction as the parts are viewed in Figure 10. Said trip finger 123 carries the insulating block 129, which carries the contact men'iber (S1. ftn insulating block 131 is stationarily mounted relative to the trame ot the extractor, which block 131 carries two contact linge-rs 132 and 133. Said contact lingers 132 and 133 are adapted Vto be bridged electrically by the contact member 64. Located between the, lever 12() and the cover plate 125 is a. springl 131- tending,` to push the cylindrical end 123 ot the pin 121 into one oit the apertures ot the timer disc 113. 1n operation the reduced end oil the pin 121 will be located in one ol the apertures 135 of the timer disc 113. The operator may select the. one of the apertures 135 which is to receive the pin 121, his selection dependingl upon the number ot revolutions which are to occur between the start.- ing` of rotation andthe automatic stoppage thereof. In order to move the index linger 125 to the desire-d aperture 135, the operator will pull out the knob 1211 against the action of the spring 13-1, thereby removing the reduced end ot pin 121 trom engagement with the timer disc. 113. rlie operator will then turn the index finger 125 to the mark on the dial 125 corresponding` to the point on said dial 125 which indicates the number ot revolutions desired before the extractor is automatically stopped. The pull upon the lrnob .121- may then be released, allowing` the reduced end 123 of the pin 121 to seat itseltI within the desired aperture 135 in the timer disc 113. 1n thev zero position oli the index linger 125, the. lever 120 and the pin 121 sccured thereto will be in a position to hold the trip finger 128 in position to disconnect the contact member 64 trom the switch contacts 132 and 133. The set-tingl ot the index linger 125 above referred to will free the pin 121 from the trip linger 123, whereby said contact members 132 and 133 will bebridged by the contact member 1t is evident that after the machine has been stopped, by reason. of the tact that the timer disc rotates the i are changed to produce reverse'rotation of the motor 28. As stated above, the inertia of the basket 12 will cause said basket to continue to rotate in its original direction. As the speed of the motor shaft slows down, the clutch'27 will open, and after the motor shaft has come to a stop and has accelerated sutilciently in the opposite direction, the clutch 27 will again be operative, whereby to bring about the quick stoppage of rotation of the shaft 14.

1t is, of course, very desirable that rotation of the basket 12 in the reverse direction be avoided. As noted above, the switch 63 is a switch responsive to the speed of rotation of the shaft 14. When the speed of said shaft is zero or nearly so, the switch 63 will open and all of the contactors will revert to the original positions referred to above in connection with the starting of the extractor. At the same time the latch solenoid 67 will be deenergized. and the closure 3Q will be opened, being moved to open position by reason of' the weight 48 located within the column 18.

Attention is directed to the switch 65, which is an emergency stop switch normally closed. Said switch is in series with the stop switch member 64. It will be clear that if for any reason it should bei desired to stop the whirling of the basket, as, for example, in the case of a badly loaded basket, the circuits may be opened very quickly by opening said switch 65, whereby the contactors will be returned to original position, just as ree ferred to in connection with the: action resulting from the` opening of the time switch 6e.

It will be noted that the present invention provides an extractor having a driving motor with a vertical shaft whose axis is fixed. Said motor is mounted above the basket containing the articles to be dried. It will be noted also that this desirable mounting of the motor interferes in no way with the action of the basket, which may gyrate in the man ner unavoidable in practice under conditions where absolutely even balancing is commercially impracticable.

It will be ole-ar also that the present invention provides a construction in which start ing is readily accomplished and which requires the operator to stay by the machine until it is evident whether' or not the basket has been badly loaded. The construction is such that the operator is protected from injury by the whirling basket at all times. The present invention also provides automatic stopping mechanism which is positive and simple in its action and which is very little liable to get out of order. Moreover, the prese-nt invention provides a construction which permits the quick stopping of the machine in an emergency, as, for example, when the operator has allowed a badly loaded basket to continue its gyrations up to and beyond the point at which the centrifugal switch (5S-3 has closed. The present inven tion also provides a construction by which quick stoppage of the basket is had when such stoppage is required. tant in the saving of time and is of immense in'iportance in case a careless operator has allowed a badly loaded basket to acquire a high speed such that breakage is liable to occur.

The present invention carries with it the ad vantages of the pilot lights above referred to, which clearly indicate to the foreman and to the operator. when the machine is operating normally, when it is inactive, and when stoppage is being accomplished.

Though the preferred embodin'xent of the present invention has been described in detail, said description should be considered in an illustrative sense rather than in a limiting sense. Many modifications will occurto those skilled in the art. It is intendedy to cover all such modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. ln a centrifugal extractor, in combination, a motor whose rotor has a fixed axis of rotation, a whirling basket, a centrifugal clutch between said rotor and said basket, and electrical connections for causing the reversal of rotation of said rotor for applying a braking action to said basket.

ln a centrifugal extractor, in combination, a driving motor, the rotor of which has a fixed axis of rotation, a basket-driving shaft, a clutch between said rotor and said shaft, said clutch having an element attached to said rotor and an element attached to said shaft, friction members adapted to vdrivingly connect said elements, said shaft being provided with a flexible joint to permit gyrations of said shaft relative to said axis of motor rotation, and electrical means responsive to predetermined functions for causing the reversal of said rotor for applying braking action to said shaft.

3. In combination, a driving shaft having a fixed vertical axis of rotation, a drying basket, centrifugally controlled clutch means between said driving shaft and said basket, means for 'driving said shaft, and means responsive to the number of revolutions of said motor for reversing the direction of rotation of said driving shaft.

1. In a centrifugal extractor, in combination, a motor having a fixed axis of rotation, a basket-driving shaft subject to gyrations, a universal joint for permitting said gyrations, a centrifugal clutch between said motor and said shaft, and means responsive to tl e number of revolutions of said motor for changing the direction of motor rotation.

5. In a centrifugal extractor, in combination, a driving motor, a whirling basket adapted to be driven by said motor, a closure This feature is imporfor said extractor, combined latch and switch means for holding` said closure in closed position and for controlling` the electric circuit ot said motor, means responsive to the speed of rotation or' said basket for controlling said combined latch and switch means, and means responsive to the performance of selective Jfunctions for controlling said combined latch and switch means.

6. centrifugal extractor', including a whirling basket, an electric motor for driving said basket, centrifugal clutch means between said motor and said basket, electric circuits tor controlling` said motor, means responsive to the performance oit predetermined iiunctions for reversing` said motor, whereby said motor may through the agency of said centrifugal clutch apply a braking action to said basket, and pilot lights responsive to said electric circuits for indicating the stages of operation oit said extractor.

7. A centrifugal extractor, comprising, in combination, a whirling' basket, a motor for driving said basket, a closure for said extrae tor, combined switch and latch means for controlling said closure and said motor, speed responsive means operative only above a predetermined basket speed for holding said closure in closed position, and means operative upon the performance of selective predetermined functions for reversing said motor to stop the rotation of' said basket and to cause the opening of said closure.

8. A centrifugal extractor, comprising, in combination, a whirling basket, a motor for driving said basket, a closure for said eX- tractor, combined switch and latch means for controlling said closure and said motor, speed responsive means operative only above a pre- 'determined basket speed for holding said closure in closed position, and means oper: tive upon the performance oit selective predemined functions for reversing;` said motor to stop the rotation of said basket and to cause the opening' of said closure, said combined switch and latch means being provided with an emergency stop switch by which an operator may manually accomplish the same performance as said reversing' means before the completion of said functions.

Signed at Moline, Illinois, this tenth day Of February, 1925.

FRITZ BALZER. 

